The identification process in early communication intervention (ECI) by primary health care personnel in Ditsobotla...

Based on clinical observations, case finding for early communication intervention service delivery in rural areas, such as Ditsobotla sub-district, is limited. The study described the identification process used for infants and young children at risk for communication delay and disorders as part of a proposed incremental implementation of early communication intervention services within the existing primary health care package. A descriptive survey design was followed. A rating scale was utilized and interviews were conducted with 20 randomly selected primary health care personnel and eight primary health care programme managers in Ditsobotla sub-district in North West province. The aims were to describe the early identification methods/processes, resources and limitations and provide guidelines to introduce early communication intervention services in a rural community. The results indicated that the identification process was limited. An incremental implementation of the different early communication intervention functions within the primary health care package appears feasible. Implications of the findings may be applied to initiate early communication intervention services, based on integrated teamwork, in a rural district in South Africa.